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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

"No Death Before the Fall" in new Signature book: Statements of the LDS First Presidency

First Presidency statements say Adam and Eve and all things on the earth became subject to mortality only after the Fall, according to a new book by Gary James Bergera, Statements of the LDS First Presidency: A Topical Compendium (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007):

"Adam and Eve were placed on earth in a state of innocence. They, the earth, and all things in it were pronounced very good, and without transgression would have remained in that state forever.

"When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, transgressing the law given to them by God, their nature was changed and they became subject to both spiritual and temporal deaths.

"Only after Adam and Eve became mortal did they begin to multiply and replenish the earth. Because of their transgression, they, their posterity, and all other things on earth became subject to the conditions of mortality....

"Adam and Eve were the first couple on this earth who were married for time and eternity, and this ceremony was performed by the Lord before the Fall, at which time there was no death and therefore it could not have been a time marriage." (pp. 7-8.)

Of course, this doctrine has been taught since the early days of the Church (see a couple of examples here). Also, the last six Presidents and thirty one Apostles have demonstrated a remarkable unity in their public statements on this subject (see several examples here).

3 Comments:

Blogger R. Gary said...

Last month, J. Stapley posted a more complete review of Bergera's new book at By Common Consent, and Dave mentioned it at Dave's Mormon Inquiry.

4/12/2007 07:21:00 AM  
Blogger Jared* said...

Gary,

Can you give more information on the source of the statement such as year, which president, and the context (private letter, church publication, etc.)?

4/12/2007 07:35:00 AM  
Blogger R. Gary said...

Jared,

The citation given for the first three paragraphs is: "Basic Doctrines," 1971. The citation for the last one is: "First Presidency to Ray Hill Moore," Sept. 6, 1967.

"Basic Doctrines," is an abbreviation for "The Basic Doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Essential to Developing a Religious Education Curriculum as Revealed to Ancient and Modern Prophets," approved by the LDS Church Board of Education, Mar. 5, 1971.

Does that help?

4/12/2007 05:34:00 PM  

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